Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality hears harrowing tales from various groups on the issues of Forced Labour and Domestic Abuse

Committee Chairman, David Stanton TD said “What we heard this morning at our Committee meeting was very disturbing. The harrowing tales recounted to the Members highlighted the very real suffering of victims of abuse and that abuse is not exclusive to women but affects both genders. We need to ensure that the services available to victims of abuse are available equally to both men and women. The volume of calls received by the various help lines indicates just how wide spread the whole issue of abuse is whether it is physical, psychological or sexual abuse. The contributions and submissions made by the various groups will allow us as a committee to make genuine, practical and realistic recommendations to the Minister in our report on the subject”

The following groups met with the committee;
Women’s Aid; Migrant Rights Centre; Immigrant Council of Ireland; Safe Ireland,  Akidwa and AMEN.

For further information please contact:

Verona Ní Bhroinn
Press and Public Relations Officer,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.

Phone 01- 618 3881, mobile 087 2624132

Committee Membership:

Deputies:                                              
Michael Creed, Fine Gael                               
David Stanton, Fine Gael, Chair                            
Billy Timmins, Fine Gael                                
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael                                       
Dara Calleary, Fianna Fáil                                
Seán Kenny, Labour Party                                        
Joanna Tuffy, Labour Party, Vice -Chair
Jonathan O’Brien, Sinn Féin
Finian McGrath, Independent    

Senators:
Paul Bradford, Fine Gael
Rónán Mullen, Independent
Denis O’Donovan, Fianna Fáil
Ivana Bacik, Labour Party
Martin Conway, Fine Gael